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Post by bigtwinhd on Mar 4, 2011 22:18:15 GMT -5
I suppose it's different for all of us. Mine have been hunting with me since they were 3. And carrying a weapon since they could keep both ends off the ground. Unloaded of course, since I don't need anymore holes then I currently need.
What do you believe are the biggest mistakes you've made with your young hunter?
Myself, I am full of mistakes. Take them out too early, stay too late. Hunting whitetails in Maine is boring, and cold. Unless it is more boring and cold at home.
How do you keep them occupied? My lil mister is now whittling while deer hunting. I never realized how loud whittling could be.
What do you folks think? And no, the gameboy isn't allowed!
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Post by mark572 on Mar 5, 2011 0:09:00 GMT -5
IMO!! it is never to soon to bring your kids along with you,just remember it isn't gonna be easy or quiet until there old enough to understand what your trying to teach!!I started my oldest son ,put him in a pack basket went with me ever where with me at 2 he caught his first yote(i set the trap only and drove the stake) he did the rest.Now my youngest son very different i tryed way to hard to bring him with me in fact i almost pushed him away from it all, but got lucky and he came around... the worst mistake i ever made with either boy was to over gun them big mistake... i even took the youngest bear hunting in a ground blind wow big mistake very noisy what i did learn is the game boy does work just fine have them mute it ...lol... myself i waited till he got a little antsy then let him use the game boy...i have no clue if this helped ya any...
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Post by jtdaniel on Mar 5, 2011 8:36:22 GMT -5
Here is a observation from a guy with a daughter. I never pushed as she was a girl and I figured she might not be interested. If she wanted to come I let her if not oh well. She is now my constant companion in the woods and loves every minute of it. What I am trying to say is listen to them encourage them and let them come along at their own pace. Kristen can make yote set with the best of them and can out shoot me if I am honest about it. She is now 15 and is worlds ahead of most boys her age in woodsman ship.
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Post by bigtwinhd on Mar 6, 2011 21:41:24 GMT -5
Well the lil missus went swimming today while beaver trapping. I guess that may be a step in the wrong direction? Just a wet leg. I always walk first and have them walk in my steps. While walking near a dam we stopped and talked about where to step on the upstream side as we could see running water under the ice. About 5 seconds later and in my own footsteps, down she went. She got out before I could get back. Startled but that's all. Go Dad!!
I bought her a track identification book for Christmas and she is our tracker. She'll be out again I have no doubt.
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Post by Pasadena on Mar 7, 2011 19:23:18 GMT -5
I don't push my kids to do what I do. Like said before. I let them come with me at their own pace. Neither my son or my daughter are into the trapping. I've had them with me while checking traps and explained to them what I was doing and why I was doing it. They both understand that there is a need to reduce the numbers of animals to ensure the health and well being of all involved.
Both my son and daughter (12 and 9) have showed interest in hunting, and each one of them got a deer this year. I was more excited watching both of them take their deer than I have ever been with one of mine.
Each one of my kids are different in how they are in the stand or in the blind. My son has the attention span of a gnat (slight A.D.D.). Once in the stand he is good for about the time it takes him to scan his surroundings 4 times. Then he needs to fix on something else. If the gameboy keeps him occupied, that's fine by me. I tell him to look up every 30 seconds or so and take a quick glance around.
My daughter on the other hand can sit for hours just looking at what is around her and asking questions. When she get's tired of that,she will read a book. Again, I have her scan every so often.
When they say they're cold or tired, I tell them 10 more minutes. I don't want to make it a bad experience for them by making them suffer in the cold or staying out longer than they're able too. I believe their attention will grow the older they get if they stick with it and I love just having them show interest in getting outside and doing something we can do together.
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Post by bigtwinhd on Mar 7, 2011 20:42:47 GMT -5
That is excellent advice guys, and Pasadena pointed out a mistake I usually make. No one likes to be cold, or bored. In the magic hour before quitting time I am reluctant to head home.
I think boredom is the worst for them really. Rabbit and partridge hunting is fine because there is atleast a little action. Turkey hunting is a little faster paced then deer hunting too.
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